Vent control system for tent

ABSTRACT

A tent or shelter includes a fabric forming a structure for the tent or shelter. The tent or shelter can include a vent assembly having a port, a flap, and member. The port can be disposed through the fabric and permeable to airflow. The flap can be attached to the fabric and adjacent the port. The member can move in response to a force from within the structure so as to move the flap toward and/or away from a closed position in which the flap blocks airflow through the port.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority of and the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 62/076,047, entitled “VENT CONTROL SYSTEM FOR TENT,”filed Nov. 6, 2014, (Attorney Docket No. Orgtnt-2-6885), the fulldisclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference for allpurposes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to tents, and more specifically to a ventand associated control system for use with a tent or shelter.

BACKGROUND

Camping is a popular recreational activity enjoyed by many. Some peoplecamp to enjoy the outdoors, and others camp as an inexpensivealternative to staying in a hotel. Most campers utilize recreational-usetents, such as backpacking and family camping tents, while camping. Ingeneral, recreational-use tents are structures made of light weight,often waterproof, fabrics. Typically, a recreational-use tent is acollapsible shelter of canvas, polyester, or other material stretchedover, sustained, and/or supported by a frame, such as one or more poles.

Recreational-use tents come in a variety of shapes, including dome andcabin tents. Dome and cabin tents are easy to set up and do not requiresupport from tree limbs or other objects. When a dome or cabin tent isset up, the entirety of the pole structure for the tent is attached tothe tent. This feature often permits the erected tent to be lifted byone or more campers, without the tent losing its shape. A rain fly mayextend over the pole structure of the tent, and may be attached to thetent or may be staked to the ground. The campers may also stake the tentto the ground.

For many free standing tent structures, long flexible poles are used andextend between opposite comers of the tent. These poles are bent intoarcs so that the ends can be attached to the tent comers or elsewherealong the outside edges of the floor of the tent. The fabric of the tentis attached along the arcs, such as by loops, hooks, or sleeves. Theends of the poles that are attached to the corners of the tent (oralternatively at the edges of the floor of the tent), coupled with theattachment of the walls and the roof of the tent to the central portionof the poles, puts the tent fabric in tension, causing the tent fabricto take shape. After all of the poles are put in place, the combinationof the poles and the tent fabric form the free standing tent structure.

Because a tent is often a closed structure, one or more doors aregenerally provided through a tent wall to provide ingress or egress fromthe tent. A tent often includes at least one window, which can provideventilation and/or a line of sight to the outside world for a personinside the tent. Tent windows and doors generally can be zipped shut orotherwise closed from the inside to keep wind, rain, insects, directsunlight, or other inconveniences out of the tent.

When in a tent, a camper may wish to increase airflow or air circulationin the tent, such as to prevent the air in the tent from becoming overlywarm, moist, or otherwise stuffy, or to alleviate one or more of suchconditions. In some weather conditions, however, such as high windand/or rain, opening a window or a door to provide airflow may alsoundesirably allow rain or other elements into the tent. In some tents,smaller vents, (e.g., near a floor of the tent) may be equipped with anawning or other covering on the outside of the tent that providesadditional protection against the entry of rain or other elementsthrough the vent. Although such vents may provide a sheltered path forairflow, a camper typically has no other choice but to exit the tent toopen or close the vents, exposing the camper to the very elements fromwhich refuge is sought in the tent.

In addition to recreational-use tents, some campers may use a freestanding shelter that provides protection from sun, rain, or insectsduring leisure periods while the camper is not in the tent. Similar totents, the shelter may be provided with covered vents that must beopened or closed from outside of the shelter or from a top of theshelter, such as during assembly. Thus, to close or open a vent, acamper may have to forego the refuge of the shelter, potentially evenpartially disassembling the shelter to reach the vent, resulting insimilar problems to those encountered with exteriorly-protected vents ona tent.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary of some embodiments of theinvention in order to provide a basic understanding of the invention.This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is notintended to identify key/critical elements of the invention or todelineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to presentsome embodiments of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude tothe more detailed description that is presented later.

In some embodiments, a tent or shelter is provided including a fabricforming a structure for the tent or shelter. The tent or shelterincludes a vent assembly having a port, a flap, and a vent controlsystem. The port is configured to allow airflow between an inside of thestructure and an outside of the structure. The flap is attached to thefabric. The flap is also overlying the port on an exterior of thestructure. The flap is adjustable between an open configuration (i) openconfiguration permitting airflow through the port and between the insideof the structure and the outside of the structure, and (ii) a closedconfiguration blocking airflow through the port between the inside ofthe structure and the outside of the structure. The vent control systemincludes a conduit and a member. The conduit may be distinct from theport. The conduit provides access from the inside of the structure tothe flap. The member is configured for movement through the conduit by apushing or pulling force from the inside the structure. The flap iscoupled with the member so as to move between the open and closedconfigurations in response to movement of the member through the conduitby the pushing or pulling force from the inside of the structure. Theflap may also be attached to the fabric along a top of the flap andalong lateral sides of the flap, and at least a portion of a bottom ofthe flap may be not attached to the fabric. The member may also includeor be coupled with a handle configured for gripping by a person fromwithin the structure for application of the pushing or pulling force.

The tent or shelter may further include at least one fastener. At leastone fastener may be at least partially positioned on an interior of thestructure and configured to releasably secure the member in a positionthat maintains the flap in the open configuration. Additionally oralternatively, at least one fastener may be at least partiallypositioned on an interior of the structure and configured to releasablysecure the member in a position that maintains the flap in the closedconfiguration. Additionally or alternatively, at least one fastener maybe (i) at least partially positioned on the exterior of the structure;(ii) configured to releasably secure the flap to the exterior of thestructure in the closed configuration; and (iii) configured to releasethe flap from the exterior of the structure in response to movement ofthe member through the conduit by the pushing or pulling force from theinside of the structure.

In some embodiments, a method is provided. The method includes providinga tent or shelter having fabric that defines a structure of the tent orshelter when the tent or shelter is set up or erected. The methodfurther includes providing a vent comprising a flap covering an openingin the fabric. The method further includes providing a member coupledwith the flap and extendible from within the structure for moving theflap away from a closed position over the opening. The method mayfurther include providing a conduit distinct from the opening of thevent, the conduit providing access for the member from the inside of thestructure through the fabric to the flap. The method may further includeproviding a handle for the member, the handle arranged within thestructure to prevent the handle from being removed from within thestructure through the conduit. The method may further include the memberis retractable from within the structure for moving the flap toward theclosed position over the opening.

In some embodiments, a tent or shelter is provided including fabricforming a structure for the tent or shelter. The tent or shelterincludes a vent assembly having a port, a flap, and a member. The portis disposed through the fabric and permeable to airflow. The flap isattached to the fabric and adjacent the port. The member is movable inresponse to a force from within the structure so as to reconfigure theflap toward and/or away from a closed configuration in which the flapblocks airflow through the port.

The tent or shelter may further include a conduit distinct from theport. The conduit may include or form a path through the fabric andthrough which the member is movable to reconfigure the flap. The tent orshelter may further include a fastener configured to releasably securethe member in a position that maintains the flap in an openconfiguration away from the closed configuration. The tent or sheltermay further include a fastener configured to releasably secure themember in a position that maintains the flap in the closedconfiguration. The member of the tent or shelter may include or becoupled with a handle configured for gripping by a person from withinthe structure for application of the force from within the structure.The handle may include a loop sized for the hand of a person. The handlemay be oriented transversely to the member. The member may correspond toa plurality of parallel members, and the handle may be orientedtransversely among the plurality of parallel members. The member mayinclude or be coupled with a handle configured for securing to aninterior of the tent or shelter at different locations to secure themember in different positions corresponding to different amounts thatthe flap is from the closed configuration.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and advantages of the presentinvention, reference should be made to the ensuing detailed descriptionand accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present invention, and theattendant advantages and features thereof, will be more readilyunderstood by reference to the following detailed description whenconsidered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of a tent having vents with externalcoverings controllable from within the tent in accordance with someembodiments;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an example of a vent with an externalcovering controllable from within a tent or shelter in accordance withsome embodiments;

FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of the vent of FIG. 2 in an openconfiguration in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view of the vent of FIGS. 2-3 in aclosed configuration, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another example of a vent, showing aclosed configuration of an external covering controllable from within atent or shelter in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the vent of FIG. 5, showing an openconfiguration of the external covering in accordance with someembodiments; and

FIG. 7 is a side cross-sectional view of the vent of FIGS. 5-6 in anopen configuration, in accordance with some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, various embodiments are described. Forpurposes of explanation, specific configurations and details are setforth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments.However, it will also be apparent to one skilled in the art that thepresent invention may be practiced without the specific details.Furthermore, well-known features may be omitted or simplified in ordernot to obscure the embodiment being described.

Embodiments herein are directed to vents with external coveringscontrollable from within a structure that includes the vent. In manyembodiments, an external covering is controlled from within thestructure by a vent control system. In many embodiments, such ventsand/or control systems are particularly suited for a tent or shelter(hereinafter “tent”). Although description herein is primarily providedin the context of a tent, vents and/or control systems described hereincan be employed in other contexts, including, but not limited to, yurts,huts, domes, teepees, and other temporary or permanent structures.

In many embodiments, a vent control system includes suitable structurefor permitting a user (e.g., a camper in a tent) to manipulate anexternal covering of a vent without requiring the user to exit the tentor shelter to directly manipulate the external covering. For example, inmany embodiments the camper can manipulate an external covering of avent from inside the comfort of a tent, e.g., without requiring thecamper to exit the tent and face exposure to elements outside of thetent to reach the external covering for opening, closing, or otheradjusting of the external covering.

In many embodiments, a vent for a tent includes elements to facilitatepassage of air while protecting against passage of moisture and/or othereffects into the tent. For example, the vent can include anair-permeable port and an impermeable flap. The flap can be positionedon the outside of the tent as an external covering of the vent. The flapcan move between an open configuration permitting passage of air throughthe port and a closed configuration blocking passage of air through theport. The flap can be moved between the open configuration and theclosed configuration by movement of a member of a vent control system.The member can be situated for movement through a conduit that isdistinct from the port and that provides access from an interior of thetent to the flap situated along the exterior of the tent. Movement ofthe member through the conduit in a first direction (e.g., away from theinterior of the tent, such as from a person within the tent pushing themember outward) can cause the flap to move toward and/or into the openconfiguration. Movement of the member through the conduit in a seconddirection (e.g., toward the interior of the tent, such as from a personwithin the tent pulling the member inward) can cause the flap to movetoward and/or into the closed configuration. The control system can alsoinclude fasteners to maintain the member and/or the flap in a particularconfiguration, such as fully open, fully closed, or at some intermediateconfiguration between the fully open configuration and the fully closedconfiguration. Any suitable type of fastener can be used, including, butnot limited to, hook and loop fasteners, magnets, snaps, buttons,toggles and loops, clips, adhesives, or static cling surfaces.

Referring now to the drawings, in which like reference numeralsrepresent like parts throughout the several views, FIG. 1 is a rearperspective view of a tent 100 having vents 102 with external coveringscontrollable from within the tent 100 in accordance with someembodiments. The tent 100 shown in FIG. 1 is a simplified model, andsome poles, windows, doors, and other specific details for the tent 100are not shown. The general configuration and manufacture of tents,however, is known, and thus specific configuration details of the tentmay be omitted or simplified in order to not obscure the embodimentsbeing described.

The vents 102 can be transitioned between an open configuration and aclosed configuration, such as to adjust whether and/or how much airflowis permitted through the vents 102. For example, the vents 102 canfunction as airflow paths when in the open configuration and function toprovide a seal against moisture or other foreign substances when in theclosed configuration. The vents 102 can be transitioned between the openconfiguration and the closed configuration from within the tent 100,such as by control systems described herein. In many embodiments, thecontrol systems are operable to secure the vent in a fully openconfiguration, a fully closed configuration, and/or in one or moreintermediate configurations between the fully open configuration and thefully closed configuration.

The vents 102 can be formed in a boundary of the enclosure of the tent100, such as in a fabric section of the tent 100. As examples, the vents102 can be situated in a side wall 104, a rear wall 106, a front wall ofthe tent (not shown), a top or roof 107 of the tent (and/or anintegrated or separate rainfly over the roof 107), or a portion of thefloor (such as a portion of a tub wall 108 formed by a part of the tentfloor extending up along the tent walls 104, 106, etc.). In someembodiments, a vent 102 can be positioned at least one inch above anuppermost edge of a tub floor 108.

Although two vents 102 are shown in FIG. 1, the tent 100 can include oneor more vents 102. For example, instead of the arrangement depicted inFIG. 1 with one vent 102 at a first end of the side wall 104 (such asadjacent to the rear wall 106) and another vent 102 positioned at anopposite edge of the side wall 104 (e.g., farthest from the rear wall106), the tent 100 can include vents on different walls and/or only asingle vent on the entire tent 100. Various types of the vents 102 canbe used alternatively or in combination in the tent 100.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an example of a vent 202 that can becontrolled from within a tent (e.g., the tent 100) or structure inaccordance with some embodiments. The depicted vent 202 includes a port204 and a flap 206. The port 204 allows airflow through the boundary ofa tent (e.g., the tent 100). The port 204 can include slits, holes,mesh, screens, or any other structure permitting airflow through theport 204. The port 204 can be disposed within, include, or otherwisecorrespond to an opening in the fabric 200 of the tent.

The flap 206 can be formed of any material capable of blocking airflowand/or passage of any other applicable element (e.g., water). Asillustrative examples, the flap can include canvas or polyestermaterial. The flap 206 can be positioned adjacent to and/or over theport 204. For example, a portion 210 of the flap 206 is shown cut awayin FIG. 2 in order to better illustrate the position of the port 204behind the flap 206. In many embodiments, the flap 206 covers the port204 when the vent 202 is in the closed configuration.

The flap 206 can be connected to the tent fabric 200, such as on theoutside of the tent. For example, the flap 206 can be stitched orotherwise permanently fastened along a top 212 and lateral sides 214 ofthe flap 206, and releasably secured or otherwise capable of being openalong a bottom 215 of the flap 206. The flap 206 can be attached to thetent fabric 200 in a manner that prevents passage of air and/or moisturethrough the top 212 and sides 214 of the flap 206. Preventing passage ofmoisture through the top 212 and the sides 214 of the flap 206 canprevent passage of moisture through the port 204. Although the sides 214of the flap 206 are shown secured to the tent fabric 200 along an entireheight of the flap 206, other arrangements are possible. For example,the attachment at the sides 214 may extend less than a full height ofthe flap 206. In an illustrative example, the stitching may extend to aheight of the bottom extremity of the port 204 and effectively preventpassage of moisture or other material from the outside of the tent intothe port 204 through the sides 214 and top 212 of the flap 206.Furthermore, the flap 206 can be connected to the tent fabric 200 by anysuitable connection method or combinations of connection methodsincluding, but not limited to, fusing, melting, mounting, gluing,bonding, hook and loop fasteners, snaps, or sliding rails.

The vent 202 includes a control system 207 for adjusting a positionand/or condition of the flap 206 from within the tent. Various elementsof the control system 207 that are numbered in FIG. 2 are described ingreater detail with respect to FIGS. 3 and 4. Generally, the controlsystem 207 can be operated by a person within the tent to move the flap206, for example, between an open configuration shown in phantom linesin FIG. 2 and a closed configuration shown in solid lines in FIG. 2. Inthe closed configuration, the flap 206 can seal or block the port 204.For example, an open end of the flap 206 (e.g., along the bottom 215)may be situated substantially flush against the tent fabric 200 in theclosed configuration, thereby restricting and/or preventing airflowthrough a space between the bottom 215 and the tent fabric 200. In theopen configuration, the flap 206 can permit airflow through the port204. For example, the flap 206 may be stretched or otherwise moved sothat the bottom 215 is offset from the tent fabric 200, thereby allowingairflow through the space between the bottom 215 and the tent fabric200. In some cases, the flap 206 includes a reinforcing or guidingstructure 215 that biases the flap 206 toward a certain shape whenopened or closed. For example, the guiding structure 215 shown in FIG. 2may correspond to a rectangular piece of foam that biases the flap 206in the closed configuration toward the flat rectangular shape shown insolid lines and in the open configuration toward the smooth curved shapeshown in phantom lines.

Although the port 204, the flap 206, and the guiding structure 215 aredepicted as rectangular in FIG. 2, these and other elements describedherein may vary in shape from one another and/or be any shape,including, but not limited to a trapezoid, a triangle, a curved form, ora polygon. Additionally, although the vent 202 is depicted with an openedge along the bottom 215 of the flap 206, the vent 202 additionally oralternatively may have a different edge open. However, having the bottom215 of the flap 206 as the only open edge can advantageously preventwater moving under the effects of gravity from running down the tentfabric 200 and into the port through the top 212 or sides 214 of thevent flap 206.

FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of the vent 202 of FIG. 2,according to some embodiments. FIG. 3 shows the vent 202 in an openconfiguration that allows airflow 226 between the inside 227 and theoutside 229 of the tent. The airflow 226 travels through an opening inthe tent fabric 200 via the port 204. The depicted port 204 includes anopening 224 in the tent fabric 200 and a permeable layer 220 (such as amesh or screen) across the opening 224, although other possibilitiesexist, including arrangements without a permeable layer 220 orarrangements with the permeable layer 220 positioned within the opening224. The airflow 226 through the port 204 moves between the port 204 andthe outside 229 of the tent through a space 225 formed between the tentfabric 200 and the open flap 206. In some embodiments, the opening 224in the tent fabric 200 and/or the permeable layer 220 associated withthe opening 224 faces the flap 206 along a direction perpendicular tothe tent fabric 200. Airflow through the opening 224 and/or thepermeable layer 220 in the direction perpendicular to the tent fabric200 can be routed in a direction along the tent fabric 200 by the flap206.

The control system 207 includes a member 208. In the open configurationshown in FIG. 3, the member 208 extends between the tent fabric 200 andthe flap 206 and supports the flap 206 in the open configuration. Themember 208 can be moved from within the tent to adjust the configurationof the flap 206.

For example, the member 208 shown in FIG. 3 is sized and configured forpassing through a conduit 216. The conduit 216 can be any structure thatprovides access from the inside 227 of the tent to the flap 206. In FIG.3, the conduit 216 is depicted as an aperture or slot that is distinctfrom the opening 224. However, other possibilities exist, including asheath (e.g., tubing) having an open end in communication with theinside 227 of the tent and an opposite end coupled with the flap 206(such as may prevent passage of elements located outside of the sheathfrom passing from the outside 229 to the inside 227 of the tent throughthe conduit 216). In some embodiments, the provision of a conduit 216allows the flap 206 to be adjusted without introducing new or temporaryopenings in the tent, e.g., without operating zippers or other closuresin mesh portions etc. of the tent for reaching outside of the tent byhand to adjust a vent. In some examples, the conduit 216 is covered bythe flap 206 when the vent 202 is in the closed configuration. Movementof the member 208 through the conduit 216 can be used to move the flap206 between closed and open configurations.

The member 208 shown in FIG. 3 can be formed from webbing 228 enclosinga stiffener section 218 of foam. However, the member 208 and/orstiffener section 218 can be formed from any other suitable materialsindividually or in combination, including, but not limited to fabric,plastic, foam, fiberglass, carbon fiber, or metal. In some aspects, thestiffener section 218 is positioned elsewhere (e.g., on an outside ofthe webbing 228 or other material forming the member 208), ishomogeneous with other material of the member 208 (e.g., the stiffenersection 218 may represent additional layers of the webbing 228), or isomitted altogether. In general, the member 208 can be constructed so asto be rigid or semi-rigid. In some aspects, a greater level of rigiditymay facilitate certain functions (such as resisting buckling whenpushing the flap 206 outward), while a lower level of rigidity (e.g.,increased flexibility) may facilitate additional or alternativefunctions (such as permitting the member 208 to bend when passingthrough the conduit 216 to the interior 227 of the tent fabric 200,e.g., for securing a portion of the member 208 along the tent fabric 200while another portion of the member 208 extends transverse to the tentfabric 200 toward the flap 206).

The member 208 can include or be coupled with any suitable features forfacilitating movement of the member 208 from the inside 227 of the tentand/or securing the member 208 in a particular location or orientation.For example, the depicted member 208 includes a handle 230 (e.g., formedfrom the same piece of webbing 228 that encloses the stiffener section218 and anchors to the flap 206 at location 232). The handle 230 canprovide a suitable gripping interface for a user to push or pull themember 208 from the inside 227 of the tent. The handle 230 can be sizedand/or otherwise configured to prevent the handle from being pulledthrough the conduit 216. For example, the loop formed by the handle 230may form a larger cross-section than a cross-section of the conduit 216.Additionally, the depicted handle 230 includes a first fastenercomponent 240 (e.g., one patch of a hook and loop fastener) engaged witha second fastener component 242 (e.g., a mating patch of the hook andloop fastener) on an interior side of the tent fabric 200. Thisarrangement maintains the member 208 in position holding the flap 206 ofthe vent 202 open. In addition to or in lieu of hook and loop fasteners,any other suitable type of fastener may be used, including, but notlimited to, magnets, snaps, buttons, toggles and loops, clips,adhesives, or static cling surfaces.

FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view of the vent 202 of FIGS. 2-3 in aclosed configuration, in accordance with some embodiments. In operation,a user may use the control system 207 from within the tent toreconfigure the flap 206 from the open configuration shown in FIG. 3toward and/or to the closed configuration shown in FIG. 4. To do this,the user would begin (referring again to FIG. 3) by pulling the handle230 away from the tent fabric 200. This action would decouple the firstfastener component 240 and the second fastener component 242 from oneanother, thereby releasing the handle 230 from the depicted position(FIG. 3) secured along the tent fabric 200 on an inside 227 of the tent.As the user continues to pull the handle 230, the member 208 is pulledthrough the conduit 216 toward the inside 227 of the tent. This motionpulls the flap 206 (e.g., at the location 232 where the member 208 isanchored) toward the port 204. When the flap 206 is pulled fully closed,the user can pivot the member 208 downward, which can align a thirdfastener component 244 on the member 208 for attachment with the secondfastener component 242 on the interior side of the tent fabric 200. Suchattachment may secure the vent 202 in the closed configuration, such asshown in FIG. 4. Additionally or alternatively, as the flap 206 ispulled fully closed, a fourth fastener component 246 on the flap 206 canbe brought into engagement with a fifth fastener component 248 on anexterior of the tent fabric 200 to secure the flap 206 in the closedposition. In some embodiments, securing the flap 206 in the closedconfiguration (e.g., by any combination of the fasteners 242, 244, 246,and 248) holds the flap 206 sufficiently close (e.g., substantiallyflush) to an exterior 229 of the tent fabric 200 to prevent wind comingalong the exterior 229 from catching the flap 206 and pulling it open.

In operation, a user can use additionally or alternatively use thecontrol system 207 from within the tent to move the flap 206 away fromthe closed configuration shown in FIG. 4 and into the open configurationshown in FIG. 3. For example, the user may begin (referring to FIG. 4)by pulling the handle 230 away from the tent fabric 200. This actionwould decouple the third fastener component 244 and the second fastenercomponent 242 from one another, thereby releasing the member 208 fromthe depicted position (FIG. 4) secured along the tent fabric 200 on aninside 227 of the tent. The user may then use the handle to push member208 through the conduit 216 toward the outside 229 of the tent. Thismotion pushes the flap 206 (e.g., at the location 232 where the member208 is anchored) away the tent fabric 200 on the outside 229 of thetent, and may do so with sufficient force to decouple the fourthfastener component 246 and the fifth fastener component 248 (if present)from one another to release the flap 206 from the secured closedposition. Referring now to FIG. 3, when the flap 206 is pushed fullyopen, the user may pivot the handle 230 downward, which may align afirst fastener component 240 on the handle 230 for attachment with thesecond fastener component 242 on the interior side of the tent fabric200. Such attachment may secure the vent 202 in the open position, suchas shown in FIG. 3.

FIGS. 5-7 illustrate another example of a vent 302 that can be used in atent (e.g., the tent 100) or a structure in accordance with someembodiments. A closed configuration of the vent 302 is shown in aperspective view in FIG. 5. An open configuration of the vent 302 isshown in a perspective view in FIG. 6 and in a cross-sectional view inFIG. 7. The vent 302 can include features similar to the vent 202, suchas a port 304 covered by a flap 306 attached to tent fabric 300 on anoutside.

The vent 302 has a different handle 330 than the handle 230 of the vent202 of FIG. 2. The handle 330 connects multiple side members 308(individually referenced as a side member 308A and a side member 308B inFIG. 5-7). The depicted handle 330 extends transversely between the sidemembers 308 (e.g., extends horizontally relative to the verticallyoriented side members 308). This arrangement may prevent the handle 330from being pulled through the conduit 316, which may increase a chancethat the handle 330 will always be available inside the tent for a userto grasp, regardless of whether the vent 302 is open or closed.

The flap 306 of the vent 302 also has a different geometry than the flap206 of the vent 202. As best seen in FIG. 6, the flap 206 includessidewalls 350 with creases 352 that allow the flap 206 to take on agusseted shape when in the open position, in contrast with the curvedopen shape of the flap 206 shown in phantom lines in FIG. 2.Additionally, as best seen in FIG. 7, the port 304 differs from the port204 in that the port 304 includes a permeable layer 320 positionedwithin (rather than merely alongside) the opening 324.

Furthermore, the vent 302 also features a different arrangement offastener components than the vent 202. Although an exterior of the vent302 includes a fourth fastener component 346 and a fifth fastenercomponent 348 for securing the flap 306 to an exterior of the tentfabric 300 similar to the vent 202, fastening components on an interiorof the vent 302 differ from the vent 202. The vent 302 features a firstfastener component 340 and a second fastener component 342 on aninterior of the tent fabric 300 (unlike the single fastener component242 on the tent fabric 200), and the vent 302 further features a thirdfastener component 344 on the handle 330 (unlike the two fastenercomponents 240, 244 on the webbing 228 that formed the member 208 andhandle 230 with vent 202).

In operation, a user can use the control system 307 from within the tent(e.g., without having to leave the refuge of the tent) to shift the vent302 from the closed configuration shown in FIG. 5 to the openconfiguration shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. This may entail releasing thethird fastener component 344 on the handle 330 from the first fastenercomponent 340 (e.g., at a lower position on the tent fabric 300 shown inFIG. 5) to free the handle 330, using the handle to push and/or extendthe side members 308A, 308B through respective conduits 316A, 316B (bestseen in FIG. 6), and engaging the third fastener component 344 on thehandle 330 with the second fastener component 342 (e.g., at a higherposition on the tent fabric 300 shown in FIGS. 6-7) to secure the handle330 to the tent fabric 300 (e.g., which can secure the side members 308in place holding the flap 306 open, as shown in FIGS. 6-7).

Conversely, a user may use the control system 307 from within the tent(e.g., without having to leave the refuge of the tent) to shift the vent302 from the open configuration shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 to the closedconfiguration shown in FIG. 5. This may entail releasing the thirdfastener component 344 on the handle 330 from the second fastenercomponent 342 (e.g., at a higher position on the tent fabric 300 shownin FIGS. 6-7) to free the handle 330, and using the handle to pulland/or retract the side members 308A, 308B through respective conduits316A, 316B (best seen in FIG. 6) to pull the flap 306 shut. Pulling theflap 306 shut may engage the fourth and fifth fastening components 346and 348 to secure the vent 302 in the closed configuration of FIGS. 6-7.When the flap 306 is fully shut, the user may also engage the thirdfastener component 344 on the handle 330 with the first fastenercomponent 340 (e.g., at the lower position on the tent fabric 300 shownin FIG. 5) to secure the handle 330 to the tent fabric 300 (e.g., whichcan further secure the side members 308 in place holding the flap 306closed, as shown in FIG. 5).

Furthermore, although two discrete fastener components 340 and 342 areshown on interior of the tent fabric in FIGS. 5-7 at opposite ends of arange of travel of the side members 308, other possibilities exist. Forexample, other fastener components may be arranged in between fastenercomponents 340 and 342, or fastener components 340 and 342 maycorrespond to sections of one continuous fastener component, such as acontinuous patch of a hook and loop fastener. Such arrangements mayallow the handle 330 to be secured at intermediate positions between afully open configuration of the vent 302 or a fully closed configurationof the vent 302, such as to permit a user to control the vent 302 alonga spectrum between fully open or fully closed configurations. In somesuch arrangements, the side members 308 can be sufficiently flexible soas to bend proximate to the corresponding conduits 316, e.g., so thatportions of the side members 308 can be oriented along the tent fabric300 inside the tent and other portions can be oriented transverse to thetent fabric 300, extending toward the flap 306, e.g., outside of thetent. These and other differences described with respect to vent 302 mayadditionally or alternatively be incorporated into the vent 202, andvice versa. Additionally, although description herein has primarilyfocused on vents with coverings that are located on an exterior and thatare controllable from an interior, the scope of the present disclosurealso includes vents with coverings that are instead located on aninterior and controllable from an exterior.

Other variations are within the spirit of the present invention. Thus,while the invention is susceptible to various modifications andalternative constructions, certain illustrated embodiments thereof areshown in the drawings and have been described above in detail. It shouldbe understood, however, that there is no intention to limit theinvention to the specific form or forms disclosed, but on the contrary,the intention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions,and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention, asdefined in the appended claims.

The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in thecontext of describing the invention (especially in the context of thefollowing claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and theplural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted bycontext. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing”are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, butnot limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. The term “connected” is to beconstrued as partly or wholly contained within, attached to, or joinedtogether, even if there is something intervening. Recitation of rangesof values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method ofreferring individually to each separate value falling within the range,unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value isincorporated into the specification as if it were individually recitedherein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitableorder unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearlycontradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplarylanguage (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to betterilluminate embodiments of the invention and does not pose a limitationon the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language inthe specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimedelement as essential to the practice of the invention.

Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, includingthe best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention.Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to thoseof ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. Theinventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations asappropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practicedotherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, thisinvention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subjectmatter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicablelaw. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in allpossible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unlessotherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

All references, including publications, patent applications, andpatents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the sameextent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicatedto be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entiretyherein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A tent or shelter, comprising: fabric forming astructure for the tent or shelter; and a vent assembly comprising: aport configured to allow airflow between an inside of the structure andan outside of the structure; a flap attached to the fabric and overlyingthe port on an exterior of the structure, the flap adjustable between an(i) open configuration permitting airflow through the port and betweenthe inside of the structure and the outside of the structure, and (ii) aclosed configuration blocking airflow through the port between theinside of the structure and the outside of the structure; and a ventcontrol system comprising: a conduit providing access from the inside ofthe structure to the flap; and a member configured for movement throughthe conduit by a pushing or pulling force from the inside the structure,the flap coupled with the member so as to move between the open andclosed configurations in response to movement of the member through theconduit by the pushing or pulling force from the inside of thestructure.
 2. The tent or shelter of claim 1, wherein the flap isattached to the fabric along a top of the flap and along lateral sidesof the flap, and at least a portion of a bottom of the flap is notattached to the fabric.
 3. The tent or shelter of claim 2, furthercomprising at least one fastener at least partially positioned on aninterior of the structure and configured to releasably secure the memberin a position that maintains the flap in the open configuration.
 4. Thetent or shelter of claim 3, further comprising at least one fastener atleast partially positioned on an interior of the structure andconfigured to releasably secure the member in a position that maintainsthe flap in the closed configuration.
 5. The tent or shelter of claim 4,further comprising at least one fastener that is: at least partiallypositioned on the exterior of the structure; configured to releasablysecure the flap to the exterior of the structure in the closedconfiguration; and configured to release the flap from the exterior ofthe structure in response to movement of the member through the conduitby the pushing or pulling force from the inside of the structure.
 6. Thetent or shelter of claim 5, wherein the member comprises or is coupledwith a handle configured for gripping by a person from within thestructure for application of the pushing or pulling force.
 7. The tentor shelter of claim 5, wherein the member comprises a plurality ofmembers and the conduit comprises a plurality of conduits such that eachof the plurality of members is configured for movement through arespective conduit of the plurality of conduits by the pushing orpulling force from the inside the structure, and wherein the flap iscoupled with all of the members of the plurality of members so as tomove between the open and closed configurations in response to movementof the plurality of members through the plurality of conduits by thepushing or pulling force from the inside of the structure.
 8. A methodcomprising: providing a tent or shelter having fabric that defines astructure of the tent or shelter when the tent or shelter is set up orerected; providing a vent comprising a flap covering an opening in thefabric; and providing a member coupled with the flap and extendible fromwithin the structure for moving the flap toward and/or away from aclosed position over the opening.
 9. The method of claim 8, furthercomprising providing a conduit distinct from the opening of the vent,the conduit providing access for the member from the inside of thestructure through the fabric to the flap.
 10. The method of claim 9,further comprising providing a handle for the member, the handlearranged within the structure to prevent the handle from being removedfrom within the structure through the conduit.
 11. The method of claim8, wherein the member is retractable from within the structure formoving the flap toward the closed position over the opening.
 12. A tentor shelter, comprising: fabric forming a structure for the tent orshelter; and a vent assembly comprising: a port disposed through thefabric and permeable to airflow; a flap attached to the fabric andadjacent the port; and a member movable in response to a force fromwithin the structure so as to reconfigure the flap toward and/or awayfrom a closed configuration in which the flap blocks airflow through theport.
 13. The tent or shelter of claim 12, further comprising a conduitdistinct from the port, the conduit comprising a path through the fabricand through which the member is movable to reconfigure the flap.
 14. Thetent or shelter of claim 12, further comprising a fastener configured toreleasably secure the member in a position that maintains the flap in anopen configuration away from the closed configuration.
 15. The tent orshelter of claim 12, further comprising a fastener configured toreleasably secure the member in a position that maintains the flap inthe closed configuration.
 16. The tent or shelter of claim 12, whereinthe member comprises or is coupled with a handle configured for grippingby a person from within the structure for application of the force fromwithin the structure.
 17. The tent or shelter of claim 16, wherein thehandle comprises a loop sized for a hand of a person.
 18. The tent orshelter of claim 16, wherein the handle is oriented transversely to themember.
 19. The tent or shelter of claim 19, wherein the membercorresponds to a plurality of parallel members and the handle isoriented transversely among the plurality of parallel members.
 20. Thetent or shelter of claim 12, wherein the member comprises or is coupledwith a handle configured for securing to an interior of the tent orshelter at different locations to secure the member in differentpositions corresponding to different amounts that the flap is from theclosed configuration.